Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Sani Lulu Abdullahi, has commended the Nigeria Football Federation for creating an enabling environment for stakeholders to contribute to grassroots football development across the country.

 

Lulu made the remarks on Tuesday in Karshi

, Abuja during the presentation of a trophy to organisers of the NLO Unity Preseason Tournament (Karshi edition). He noted that the preseason competition plays a vital role in preparing teams for the Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO) season.

 

“I am aware that this same tournament has been organised earlier in the Gwagwalada axis of the FCT, and now here in Karshi for teams within this axis,” he said. “In support of this initiative, I am donating a trophy to be named after the Sarki of Karshi, Alhaji Ismaila Mohammed, in recognition of his contributions to sports development in the area.”

 

Lulu, who is also the proprietor of FOSLA Academy, used the occasion to call on the NLO leadership to further decentralise league venues. According to him, creating more playing centres closer to clubs would help ease the financial burden on grassroots teams.

 

“Running clubs at this level is very challenging due to limited finances. Bringing match venues closer to their base will significantly reduce costs and support their sustainability,” he added. He also disclosed that the FOSLA Stadium would be made available for league matches, with necessary facilities being upgraded to standard.

 

On the pitch, the opening match of the Sarki Karshi NLO Unity Preseason Tournament delivered excitement as Fosla FC edged Woodpecker FC 1-0. The decisive goal came in dramatic fashion, with Ephraim Moses scoring at the stroke of full time.

 

The tournament will continue through the week, with the final scheduled for Saturday, as participating teams fine-tune preparations ahead of the new NLO season.